Feeling uncertain about which Subaru fuel type to fill up with? You’re not alone.
With so many models and variations out there, chances are you’ve arrived at the pump and are racking your brains as to which fuel is right for your car.
Filling up with the wrong fuel type will negatively impact your engine, and even cause serious damage to other parts of your car – like the catalytic converter.
In this guide, we take a look at which fuel type that is best suited for your specific Subaru model. Whether you drive a Subaru XV, Outback, Impreza, Forester, or WRX, read on to find out which Subaru fuel type is right for you.
Know your RON numbers
RON (Research Octane Number), measures a petrol’s octane rating. In Australia, premium unleaded petrol is available in 98 octane, 95 octane, E10 (94 octane), and the standard 91 octane unleaded.
Essentially, the RON, or octane rating is what determines various things like your fuel economy, efficiency, and ability to resist premature burning, (known as engine knock).
Here’s what you can expect to find on offer at your average servo:
91 – regular unleaded petrol (RULP)
95 – premium unleaded petrol (PULP)
98 – premium unleaded petrol (PULP)
E10 – regular unleaded petrol blended with between 9% and 10% ethanol
Diesel
| Subaru Car Model | Fuel Type |
| Subaru XV | 95 RON unleaded petrol |
| Subaru Outback | 95 RON unleaded petrol |
| Subaru Impeza | 91 RON unleaded petrol |
| Subaru Forester | 95 RON unleaded petrol |
| Subaru WRX | 98 RON unleaded petrol |
| Subaru BRZ | 98 RON unleaded petrol |
| Subaru Crosstrek | 91 RON unleaded petrol |
Subaru XV fuel type
The Subaru XV is designed to run on 95 RON unleaded petrol. Using a lower RON rating may cause engine knocking, while using a higher RON rating may not provide any additional benefits.
Subaru Outback fuel type
The Subaru Outback is also designed to run on 95 RON unleaded petrol. That being said, if you own a diesel Outback model, you should of course use diesel instead.
Subaru Impreza fuel type
The Subaru Impreza drinks 91 RON unleaded petrol. Using a higher RON rating may not provide any additional benefits while using a lower RON rating can cause engine knocking.
Subaru Forester fuel type : 95 RON
The Subaru Forester runs on 95 RON unleaded petrol. Using a lower RON rating may cause engine knocking, while using a higher RON rating may not provide any additional benefits.
Subaru WRX fuel type
The Subaru WRX is a high-performance vehicle that requires premium unleaded petrol fuel or 98 RON unleaded. Using a lower RON rating can cause engine knocking and may result in reduced engine performance.
Subaru BRZ fuel type
Like the WRX, Subuar’s BRZ model takes premium unleaded petrol fuel (98 RON). Using a lower RON rating can cause engine knocking and can result in reduced engine performance.
Subaru Crosstrek Fuel type
The Subaru Crosstrek runs optimally on 91 octane, which is the standard unleaded petrol fuel. As always, it’s important to use the correct RON, as using a lower rating can result in engine knocking and using a higher rating impacts performance.
Choosing the right fuel type is essential.
Putting the wrong fuel in your car can prove detrimental to your engine. Today’s engines are highly engineered to process certain fuel types, and serving up the wrong liquid can seriously impact your car from the moment you turn on the ignition.
Running your car on the wrong fuel can cause your engine to seize up and various parts of your car’s fuel system may become unusable. Therefore, ensuring you fill up with your required fuel type is important.
Tips for choosing the right fuel type for your Subaru
Filling up with the wrong fuel type is an easy mistake, but also one that can have long-lasting consequences on your engine. Here are some tips for choosing the right fuel type:
If in doubt, read your car owner’s manual
Your car manual should always be your failsafe method for finding out information on the go. Always check your car manual to find out what fuel type is recommended for your vehicle.
Look out for the RON number
Make sure to use fuel with a RON rating equal to or higher than what is recommended for your vehicle. You can also find these details in your manual.
Don’t skimp on quality
Picking the cheapest fuel can be tempting, especially when prices are on the rise. However, choosing a lower-quality fuel can be detrimental to your engine which may be designed to consume only premium unleaded fuel types.
Consider your driving habits
The way you drive can have a large impact on how your engine consumes fuel. If you’re driving in harsher conditions, or require extra speed and performance, then choosing a higher-octane fuel can be beneficial.
Avoid mixing fuel types
While mixing fuel types is unlikely to cause any noticeable damage to your engine, it’s best to avoid this practice. By mixing two different octane fuels, they will mix to give you a RON number somewhere in between.
Maintain your Subaru engine health
Choosing the right Subaru fuel type is essential not just for engine health, but also for performance. Depending on which model you drive, you’ll want to check that you’re filling up with the correct gas and desired fuel octane rating.
Refilling with the correct fuel is one thing, but to keep your Subaru running smoothly it’s also important to keep up regular services. At City Subaru, our team of qualified Subaru technicians are ready to help you keep your engine in top condition, and catch any issues before they come back to bite. Book a service with City Subaru today to keep your ride running smoothly.